Freshwater turtles

The broad-shelled turtle (Chelodina expansa) is the largest freshwater turtle in Australia, with a shell measuring up to 485 mm long. It looks rather like the eastern long-necked turtle but has a flatter head and a narrower plastron without black margins on the shields. Despite its large size it is seldom seen, as it has secretive habits and rarely emerges from the water. In New South Wales, it occurs at lower altitudes in the Murray-Darling river system. It is also a carnivore, but generally feeds on larger prey than the eastern long-necked turtle, such as shrimps and yabbies. It lies in wait and uses its long neck to strike out and catch fast-moving prey.

The eastern long-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis) is the most widespread species, occurring in water bodies throughout New South Wales, with the exception of the highest parts of the Alps. It is easily distinguished by its wide plastron (the under part of the shell), made up of pale yellow shields with black margins. It is often seen crossing roads, where unfortunately it is frequently killed by motor vehicles. When handled it exudes a smelly secretion that helps to repel predators. It is a carnivorous species, feeding mostly on small invertebrates such as worms, snails and insect larvae, including mosquitoes.

The Bellinger River turtle (Myuchelys georgesi) is restricted to the Bellinger River system on the NSW mid-north coast. It has a broad yellow stripe along each side of the face and neck and a yellowish plastron with dark outlines on the edges of the shields. It is another omnivore, eating plants as well as a variety of aquatic insects.

The eastern saw-shelled turtle (Myuchelys latisternum) inhabits the rivers of the NSW north coast and hinterland as far south as the Richmond River system and also occurs in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Its name derives from the saw-toothed rear edge of its upper shell or carapace, although this feature is not always present in adults. Its plastron colour is variable. Like other species of its genus it has a hard cap on the top of its head and an omnivorous diet, consuming both plants and animals.

The Manning River turtle (Flaviemys purvisi) is confined to the Manning River and its tributaries on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. It has a similar appearance to the Bellinger River turtle, but genetic analysis has shown that the 2 are not close relatives. Young animals have patches and streaks of bright yellow on the lower surfaces of their head, neck, limbs and tail, although this tends to fade with age. The plastron is typically yellow with dark margins around the shields. Its diet consists mainly of aquatic insects and plants.

The Murray River turtle (Emydura macquarii) occurs in all but the coldest parts of the Murray-Darling River system. It is also found in coastal NSW rivers, from the Queensland border to the Sydney region. Its eye has a bright yellow iris and it has a single cream or yellowish streak along the side of its head and neck. Young animals sometimes have pale yellow spots behind the eyes. The plastron is a uniform cream or pale yellow. The Murray River turtle is often seen basking on logs in the sun. It is an omnivore and eats large amounts of water plants and algae as well as invertebrates.

The red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) is an introduced species from North America and is occasionally reported from waterways and roads in the suburbs of Sydney. The name slider is derived from the turtle’s habit of slipping into the water when disturbed while basking on a rock or log. Red-eared slider turtles are easily distinguished from other species that occur in NSW by broad red stripes behind their eyes and the ability to draw their head straight back under the shell rather than folding it to one side. They also have narrow yellow stripes on their head, neck and limbs. They are another species with a broad diet of both plants and animals, and they may compete with native species for food.

The western saw-shelled turtle (Myuchelys bellii) is a close relative of the eastern saw-shelled turtle. It is found in northern New South Wales and just across the border in Queensland, inhabiting the upper reaches of the Border Rivers, Gwydir and Namoi river systems. It often has pinkish or yellowish streaks and patches on the lower side of its head and body and a blackened plastron. It is an omnivore and has been reported to eat fallen fruit as well as water plants, algae and insects.